Seal-lock for mail-pouches



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A. SCHMEDINGHYOFF. SEAL LOCK FOR MAIL POUGHES.

No. 585,232. Patented June 29,1897.

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(No Model.) I

- A. SCHMEDINGHOFF.

SEAL LOGK FOR MAIL BOUCHES.

No. 585,232. Patented June 29, 1897.

UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUST SCHMEDINGHOFF, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SEAL-LOCK FOR MAIL-POUCHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 585,232, dated June 291897.

Application filed January 23, 1896. Serial No. 576,478. (No model.)

T0 all whom t may concern:

YBe it known that I, AUGUST SGHMEDING- HOFF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, 'have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seal-Locks for Mail-Pouches, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, economical, and efficient seal-lock adapted particularly for use in connection with mail-pouches; and the invention consists in the features and combinations hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a front elevation of my improved seal-lock as applied to a mail-pouch, showing the pouchiiaps sealed; Fig. 2, a front elevation of the upper portion of a mail-pouch, showing one portion of my lock applied to the inner ilap; Fig. 3, a transverse sectional View taken through the mail-pouch online 3 of Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 4, a detail view of a portion of the sealing mechanism; Fig. 5, a detail view of a portion of the lock and sealing mechanism, looking at it from the front; Fig. 6, a rear elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5; and Fig. 7, a longitudinal section of a portion of the mailpouch and sealing-lock, taken on line 7 of Fig. l.

In constructing my improved lock and in applying it for use in connection with a mailpouch I use what I term a hasp portion A, consisting of a continuous metallic strip, and secure the same tothe inner upper edge A' of a mail-pouch by means of rivets a, though other mechanism may be used for this purpose. The hasps a2 are secured together and to the body portion of the pouch by means of this metallic strip, so that one'hasp or more cannot be removed from the pouch unless all have been removed and the pouch practically destroyed. I prefer to make this hasp flexible-that is, in several portions hinged together, as at a'-so that the lock may more readily conform to the shape of the pouch when in use. I then secure to the outer surface of the flap portion B what I term the locking portion B', which is also made in several portions hinged together, as at b, so as to more readily conform to the shape of the pouch-opening when in use. This locking portion is made in two parts, one of such portions B2 B2, which I term the base-plates and which are preferably made in two parts, one each side of the vertical center of the bag and secured to the flap by means of rivets b', so as to be practically rigid with the ap and not partake of any motion. These base-plates B2 are provided with overlapping edges b2, in which the main locking portions B3 are slidingly mounted, so as to have a free-longitudinal motion therein, while the parts are limited in their motion by means of the projecting edges b3. The base-plates B2 are further provided with openings B4, adapted to span the hasps a2 on the hasp portion and allow them to protrude through the openings to be engaged by the lip portions b4 on the lock portion, and thus effectually lock or seal the pouch, as shown in Fig. l.

The lock portions are flexiby connected together, so that the end portions of the main locking portion have areciprocating motion, and the central portion, as at B B', has a lateral or outward motion, and by pulling the lever portion C outwardly the sliding piece is withdrawn toward the center, and the hasps may be inserted through the portions, as in Fig. l. By pressing the lever portion backward again, as shown in Fig. 3, the lip portions engage under the hasp and prevent the disengagement of the parts. This lever portion is provided with an ordinary lock D, that engages a hasp A2 on the metallic strip of the hasp portion and holds the parts locked against any disengagement until a key is inserted in the key-opening CZ and the lock D unlocked.

The lever portion is provided with a holder E for the purpose of inserting a trip-card in the same to indicate between what stations the pouch is to be used.

In operation, the parts being secured to the desired edges of the pouch, the lever C is drawn outwardly and the outer flap of the pouch drawn over, so that the hasp portions project through the locking portion. The lever C is then pushed inwardly, so that the lips of the lock portion project under the hasp,'when the lock may be set and the pouch thereby sealed until opened by the employee or person having a duplicate key.

While I have described my invention with IOO more or less ininuteness as regards details and as being embodied in precise forms, I do not desire to be limited thereto unduly any more than is pointed out in the elaim. On the een trary,l eontemplate all proper changes in form, construction, and arrangement, the omission of immaterial parts, and the substitution of equivalents, as eireumstanees may suggest or render expedient.

I Claim- In a seal-leek for mail-pouches, the Combination of several metallie hasps joined together on and by a Continuous strip of metal, a hinged continuous metallic strip for seeuring the hasps together and to the body portion of the poueh, two metallie base-plates secured to the outer surface of the flap portion of the poueh, eaeh provided with a plurality of openings to engage the hasps, a iiexible metallic looking,` portion slidingly mounted therein so as to have a reeiproeat ing motion at its end portion and a lateral or outward motion at its middle portion and provided with a plurality of lips adapted to enter the hasp portions between the base-plates and the hasps and prevent lateral displaeement of the parts when it is in its longest position and disengage the parts when it is in its shortest position, or when it is laterally movable or is drawn outward, and means for leeking` the metallic strip on the body portion with the laterally-movable portion of the leeking portion to prevent the disengagement of the lips and the hasps, substantially as deseribed.

AUGUST SCHMEDIN Gl IOFF.

Vitnesses:

THOMAS F. SHEPJDAN, 'F1-reims B. MCGREGOR. 

